Collectibles Q&A

NASCAR memorabilia collectors often have questions about the items they've accumulated. Here are our responses to some of your most recent inquiries:

Q: I would be interested in knowing the value of a Dale Earnhardt cooler that I won as a promotional item several years ago. It is a plastic (not soft-sided) cooler and is black in color with a lifting handle that locks the lid in place. It is the No. 3 Goodwrench car as the lid of it. The promotion was for a beef jerky product. I have searched everywhere for this and can't find a word about it on the internet. Thank you for providing this service, I've seen lots of interesting items on the site. -- Danielle Stewart

A: It may have helped to know the manufacturer of this cooler, but I think the value would be about the same regardless of who produced it. I'd place the collectible value in the $25-35 range.

Q: I was wondering if you know how much a Masters of Racing 110 Card White Gold Series set is worth. -- Kelli Artis

A: The 1989-90 Master of Racing set was released in two parts. The first 152 cards came out in 1989, while card Nos. 153-262 were released in 1990 under the White Gold name. The White Gold set is worth around $20-25.

Q: I had bought a Dale Earnhardt autographed picture he signed at Field of Dreams the morning he crashed and passed away. It is one of 75 signed that morning. I have the paper work from Field of Dreams that go with the picture. I would like to keep it but my son is going to college next year so do you know what it is worth? -- Edward Rueda.

A: With the autograph and considering the rarity of the photo, I'd place the value at $125-175.

Q: I have a baseball hat signed by Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Bill Elliott, Dave Marcis, Dale Earnhardt Sr, and Eddie Dickerson when he was crew chief for Rusty Wallace. What would the value for an item like this? I also have an Inside Winston Cup Hat baseball hat signed by Dale Sr. with a photograph as he is signing the hat. Do you have an idea of the value of such a hat? -- Brandon Hanson

A: The hat signed by only Earnhardt is worth $100-150. The hat signed by the six NASCAR personalities is worth $200-250, based largely on the signatures of Earnhardt and Kulwicki.

Q: I have a 1967 National 500 (Charlotte) Program in good condition. What is it worth? -- Richard Turner

A: A great collectible here. I'd place the value at $35-45.

Q: I have a red Alan Kulwicki Case Pocket knife. Is this worth anything? -- Leigh Anne Buford

A: I'd have to see a picture of the knife to know for sure. But if this is the knife I'm thinking of, there were 1000 produced. I'd place the value at $250-300.

Q: I have one of the front panels for a Coke machine that has Jeff Gordon on the front drinking a coke. He signed with Pepsi and the panels were never put in the machines. Any idea what this may be worth? I can't even find a listing for it. -- Chris

A: Now this is a rare piece! I think it should merit an appraisal of $100-150.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale Action No. 66 Darrell Waltrip Route 66 Tour 2000 Taurus stock car bank. It is 1 of 2,500. It is in the box like new. What is it worth? -- mlcjarret

A: A nice bank, but nothing earth-shattering in terms of value. It is worth $30-45.

Q: I must downsize my collection and I have a boat-load of 1:64 Racing Champion die-casts, as well as 1:24 scale RC and other racing die-casts. Is Ebay the only good way to get rid of them or are there other options? -- Douglas Counts

A: eBay is the quickest and easiest solution, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that, for common pieces, the glut of product found at auction can hurt sale prices. The advantage is that rarer, more collectible pieces may bring more on eBay because they are put before a larger audience. Other selling options are advertisements in motorsports publications, or selling them to dealers. You can also set up at flea markets and racing collectibles shows.

Q: I have the limited edition (about 5000 of them) set of Action Packed cards of the Allison family: Clifford, Davey and Bobby. It was a tribute to the family members that died in 1992-1993 and there are three Action Packed cards in a leather case. Included is a printed poem by one of the Allison sons. They are not signed, but in mint condition. Just wondering what the market value might be as I received this as a gift over 10 years ago, and have no real attachment to the set. -- MC

A: The value for this set in mint condition is $30-40. There were 5000 sets released, with proceeds from sales going to a trust fund for the children of Clifford Allison, who was killed in 1992 at Michigan.